ST. GEORGE, Utah—Host Dixie State opened the third quarter with a 16-0 run, separating themselves from host Hawai`i Hilo on their way to a 72-52 victory on Saturday night at Burns Arena.

The Trailblazers improved to 11-12 on the season and to 7-9 in the Pacific West Conference. The Vulcans, playing their first game of five contests in eight days, fell to 6-11 on the year and to 4-10 in conference play.

Freshman Allie Navarette had a monster game with 25 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to lead the Vulcans.

UH Hilo held a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Navarette scored UH Hilo's first seven points and a Sara Shimizu three-pointer gave the Vuls a 10-4 lead five minutes into the game. Shimizu hit another trey with a minute left to give UHH a 16-12 lead heading into the second period.

Navarette hit two free throws to open the second quarter to push the margin to six points (18-12). But the Trailblazers, who are 8-4 at the Burns Arena this year, went on a 7-0 run to move in front, 23-20, and they would never trail again. DSU then closed the quarter with back-to-back three-pointers (which would be a sign of things to come) to head to the locker room with a 32-25 lead.

The Trailblazers began the third period on fire. Their 16-0 run included four three-pointers, covering five and a half minutes before Navarette stopped the string with a bucket. UH Hilo then stayed alive with a 9-0 blitz to close the period, but they still trailed 51-36.

The Vulcans cut the Trailblazer lead to ten points twice in the fourth quarter, but Dixie State answered each time, eventually moving to the final 20-point win.

DSU hit 10-of-31 three-pointers,  while the Vulcans drained 8-of-16 treys. Navarette got to her 25 points by banking home 9-of-17 shots from the field, 1-of-2 from three-point range and 6-of-8 free throws. Shimizu added nine points and Alyssa Movchan had eight.

UH Hilo will take on Concordia on Monday. Start time will be 5:30 pm PT.